09 March 2023 , 13:56
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Steve Borthwick came to power vowing to pick on form rather than reputation and has stayed true to his word by dropping captain Owen Farrell for Saturday’s game against France.
Marcus Smith has been rewarded for his electrifying display for Harlequins last weekend with selection at fly-half, with Ellis Genge handed the captaincy for the first time.
Borthwick had already proved himself unafraid to wield the axe when dropping Manu Tuilagi and Ben Youngs in previous rounds. But this is the big one. Farrell was last relegated out of the team in the 2015 World Cup.
Borthwick said: ”The players selected to face our visitors are again a reflection of what I see to be the right balance of personnel for the challenge we face in this game.
"I go through the gameplan we wish to play, the tactics we'll use and the strengths of the opponents. For this reason it's the right decision to start Marcus.
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"We have three world class outside half’s. Starting with Marcus is the right blend. My job is to select who will start."
Borthwick added: "Congratulations to Ellis Genge who will captain the side for the first time. Ellis will lead from the front with the sort of dedication and spirit that now rightly typifies this England team.”
England are unchanged but for the changing of the guard at fly-half against opposition ranked No.2 in the world but without a win at Twickenham since 2007.
England head coach Steve Borthwick (PA)England XV
15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 20 caps)
14. Max Malins (Saracens, 17 caps)
13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 54 caps)
12. Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 10 caps)
11. Anthony Watson (Leicester Tigers, 53 caps)
10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 20 caps)
9. Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 10 caps)
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1. Ellis Genge (C) (Bristol Bears, 46 caps)
Ellis Genge will captain England in Farrell's absence (Visionhaus/Getty Images)2. Jamie George (Saracens, 75 caps)
3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 59 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 65 caps)
5. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 8 caps)
6. Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 17 caps)
7. Jack Willis (Toulouse, 8 caps)
8. Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 12 caps)
REPLACEMENTS
16. Jack Walker (Harlequins, 2 caps)
17. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 77 caps)
18. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 98 caps)
19. David Ribbans (Northampton Saints, 3 caps)
20. Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, 3 caps)
21. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 3 caps)
22. Owen Farrell (Saracens, 104 caps)
23. Henry Arundell (London Irish, 5 caps)